Phosphorescent Cannula Hub for Dim-Light Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ophthalmic microsurgical procedures, it is challenging for surgeons to visualize and distinguish between cannulas inserted into the eye, especially in dimly lit environments, leading to the need for adjusting microscope illumination, which can disrupt the surgical process.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-illuminating cannula devices, featuring phosphorescent materials in the hub and sealing elements, allowing for 'glow-in-the-dark' visualization without external lighting, facilitating cannula identification and size differentiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If dim lighting is used during ophthalmic microsurgical procedures, then surgical comfort and reduced glare are improved, but cannula visualization and identification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded hubs with phosphorescent materials that glow in different colors (e.g., green, blue, red) to indicate different cannula sizes. This allows surgeons to easily distinguish between cannulas in dim lighting without requiring bright illumination, resolving the contradiction between comfortable dim lighting and cannula visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphorescent material acts as an intermediary that converts ambient light into sustained visible glow. The material absorbs light during charging and emits it gradually in the dark, serving as a mediator between the lighting conditions and the surgeon's ability to visualize cannulas.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If microscope illumination is increased to improve cannula visibility, then cannula identification is improved, but surgical disruption and loss of focus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphorescent materials are pre-charged with light energy before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary charging allows the cannulas to glow throughout the surgery without requiring intermittent illumination adjustments, eliminating surgical disruptions and maintaining continuous focus.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-illuminating cannulas provide their own visualization without requiring external lighting adjustments. The phosphorescent materials automatically glow in the dark, making the cannulas self-sufficient for visibility and eliminating the need for surgeon intervention to adjust illumination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cannulas of different sizes are inserted, then surgical versatility is improved, but cannula differentiation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cannula size is assigned a specific color code with corresponding phosphorescent glow color. This allows surgeons to quickly differentiate between multiple cannulas of different sizes by their glow colors, maintaining surgical versatility while solving the differentiation problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphorescent color coding is applied specifically to the hub portion of each cannula, creating a localized visual identifier. This allows differentiation at the hub level without affecting the overall cannula structure or function, enabling easy identification while maintaining surgical versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The self-illuminating cannulas enhance surgical efficiency by providing continuous visibility and color-coded identification of cannula sizes, reducing the need for frequent light adjustments and minimizing surgical disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
the hub (103) may include a self-illuminating material, such as a phosphorescent material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Provided herein are cannula devices that are self-illuminating to facilitate visualization of the cannula devices during a surgical procedure. The self-illuminating feature may be provided by phosphors incorporated into the cannula device, for example in the hub or sealing element of the cannula device. The cannula device may emit light of a specific color selected to correspond to a size of the cannula device.